Firefighter Finger Numbers
Click here to find it in the store.
This is an activity for those of us who teach young children or for parents who want to give their children a head start in learning piano. I made this for a 4-year-old who loves anything related to firemen. I wanted an activity he would enjoy that would be a good way to reinforce finger numbers. Thanks to this game, his confidence has soared because it is now easy for him.
In addition to finger numbers, this activity helps children learn the meaning of the symbols RH and LH as well as to learn to distinguish their right and left hands.
I printed my cards on magnetic printer sheets but you can also use card stock. The magnetic sheets are kind of pricey, so shop around and see if you can use a coupon. Mine came in a sample pack, so I wanted to try them out. You might want to try printing them on card stock and using magnetic strips you can buy at craft stores. Disclaimer: My magnetic cards are a little difficult for young students to use until they get used to how thin they are. I remove them from the cookie sheet and hand them to the children until they learn how. Standing them up on the sides of the cookie sheet helps.
I’m so glad that I found your website. Thank you for sharing all of the materials and ideas for piano teaching. I’ll definitely use them for 3 year old next lesson.
I just wanted to say it’s amazing that you use the baking pan for playing with cards!
Just wondered if you had ever had a chance to make the Bingo Game for finger numbers as I have a young student who needs help remembering these. Many thanks.
Thanks for the reminder!
On Tue, Aug 20, 2013 at 6:29 PM, Susan Paradis' Piano Teacher
I’m starting my Intro to Piano class in 2 weeks for 3,4, and 5 year olds. I am definitely going to use this game. Thanks!
You’re welcome.
Let me know if it works with your little ones!
Thanks for all of the great resources you have posted!! I like this idea very much. I just started a 5 year old today and thought I’d use this. However, wouldn’t it be more appropriate for the “What Hand?” cards to say “What Finger?”
Thanks for the suggestion, Ruthann. However, here is my reasoning for the “what hand” cards.
One of the objectives of the cards is to learn right and left hand, not only finger numbers. So I made cards so that they would have to match the left hand to the LH and the right hand to the RH. Many 4 year olds do not know their right and left hand yet.
The “What Hand” cards were specifically made so that my students could match them. In the picture, my student placed them on the cookie sheet that way to make it look like a heading. But that was not my goal.
If students already know their left and right, I would suggest not using those cards.
Oh, okay that makes sense. I thought it looked like the heading of the column. Thank you for clarifying that for me!